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Message from Captain Shamel:
"To Challenge Air & The World:
It is with a full heart, and tears in my eyes, that I share my incredible experience as a volunteer pilot with Challenge Air for Kids. I am still in awe of what this organization does for children with special needs, and how profoundly it has impacted me.
Each flight was more than just an opportunity to take to the skies; it was a chance to witness a child’s transformation, to see them overcome fears, doubts, and limitations they had carried with them.
As I brought them up to the plane I see their faces light up with a big smile as they realized they could believe in themselves in a way they hadn’t before, was nothing short of magical.
Before every takeoff and after every landing, it had left me in tears. It’s hard to put into words the depth of emotion I felt, as the children would run up to me afterward, hugging me tightly as if I were family. Their unconditional love, the trust they placed in me, and the joy in their hearts—it’s something I will carry with me forever.
One of the kids had held my hand as we walked to the plane, and had said “Pilot Shamel, am I your copilot today? I want to be like you when I grow up!” and in those moments, I had broken down in tears and felt a bond that words could never fully express.
I may have been there to show them the skies, but in reality, it was they who showed me what it truly means to fly—above fear, above doubt, and into the endless potential we all have within us. Thank you, Challenge Air for allowing me to be part of such an unforgettable experience, and for reminding me every day that with love, courage, and support, we are all capable of more than we ever imagined."
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